This text talks about the three years of occupation of Egypt by the French people. The French Expedition was considered a turning in modern history of Arab countries in the point of view of western people. The expedition started in 1798 and ended in 1801. The French people wanted to spread their liberal beliefs and ideas and so, they started with the most well developed Arab country, which is Egypt. Although Egyptians were unprepared to be ruled by the French as they were different culturally and ideologically but their influence soon began to appear.
One of the ways the French tried to manipulate the Egyptian mind is by using the anti-feudal system strategy. The Egyptian suffered from this system through which their land was owned by the Mamleuks and they were their slaves. The French expedition came after the French revolution which destroyed the feudalist system. And so the French said they came to liberate them from this oppressive system as well!
Arabs were isolated at the time of Mamleuks and they thought that they were under the protection of the Turkish people. But after the French people came, they that they are weak and they are oppressed by the Mamleuks.
Napoleon Bonaparte was the significant figure of this expedition. He was smart person and a great pretender. He knew the mentalities of the Egyptian and he knew how to reach to their hearts and minds thinking that they would believe him and accept him as his leader.
However, this wasn’t the case. Egyptians or most of the never believed Napoleon, not only that, but they preferred the Turkish over him as said before. There was a great gap between the East and West societies at that time and due to the different cultures they come from, some people thought that the expedition was a clash of civilizations.
But the main question here is that why Napoleon did chose to conquest Egypt? The French expedition had many aims. First, Ottoman Empire’s strategic position encouraged Napoleon’s expansion plans. By controlling the empire, Napoleon would use Ottomans as a trump card on England, which was an enemy to France and was in completion with it to conquer the Ottoman Empire and the world. The French thought that taking the Ottoman Empire would surly weaken the English.
Secondly, Napoleon hoped that the conquest of Arab countries in North Africa and Asia would allow France to create a colonial empire to make up for the lost American colonies.
Thirdly, Egypt was one of the sultan’s richest domains and thus, he would acquire a rich colony. Second, he would empower his position at the Eastern end of the Mediterranean, and hence he could shatter the Ottoman Empire.
Fourthly, a short cut from England to India was through Egypt. Although the Suez Canal wasn’t yet established but trans-shipping stations had been established passengers, goods and mail were unloaded at Alexandria and delivered by caravans to Suez, thus reducing the journey to India. And so if Egypt was acquired he would deal to blow England by disorganizing its connections with India. And fourthly, he would obtain a base for his long-desired campaign against India.
Lastly, France did the expedition to protect French trade interests and establish scientific enterprise in the region.
The expedition began with Napoleon famous proclamation. Napoleon presented himself as a devoted Muslim wearing the Egyptian clothes. He started his proclamation with the name of Allah, the Gracious and the Merciful’ although he wasn’t a Muslim. He claimed that he came to Egypt to rescue the Egyptian from the Mamleuks oppression, mentioning that they are their enemies as well. He didn’t mention he wanted to conquer Egypt or to rule them or anything. In addition, he directed his proclamation to the leaders or in other words that most appreciated by people by Egyptians: Sheikhs, Cadis and Imams, to show the Egyptians that he’s well aware of their interests and personalities and showing him his modesty and those they are his leaders too. He thought if he got closer to their idols he would be able to control them in his hand. Most importantly, he reminded them of the wars he lead against the Crusades and Rome and destroyed their churches and by this proving that he is with their religion and was fighting for it to stay when in the mean while he wanted to rule the world and thus thought of destroying the Crusades. He thought with these tactics he would fool the Egyptians, while they knew that he used an argument used by all colonists before and after him.
Ottomans at that time could’ve controlled their people to revolt against the French. Even the British government called the Sultan to tell them that the French are not coming to liberate you but are coming to conquest you and the Sultan replied that Egypt is a taboo. However, when the French came as mentioned before, they knew that they weren’t strong enough to face the European powers.
On the other hand, it cannot be said that Egypt didn’t benefit of this Expedition. There weren’t any political results. However, brilliant monographs produced by the savants who accompanied the French army to Egypt were produced. Among them were a variety of scientists of many biological fields. They also complied military maps and made a thorough study of a country that was yet little explored. In addition, to a twenty volume Description de l’Egypt, in which collected the most diverse information on the regime of the Nile, on folk music, farming, crafts, way of life and costumes etc... They formed a book that describes Egypt in depth and still used until now, the 21st century!
All these were results of the French expedition that benefited Egypt. Also all these shows how smart Napoleon is and how he worked hard and studied Egypt and Egyptians before he came and what efforts he has made for him to stay longer. Egyptians were well aware of his intentions and didn’t abide by his words, plus the cultural difference played an important role failing this expedition.

However, during the three years of French expedition, the Egyptians experienced the harsh, yet useful school of National Liberation movement. They rose in arms to uphold their country’s independence. The results of their struggle were tangible. Their military experience stood them in good stead in their struggle both against British colonists, who succeeded the French, and against the Mamleuks feudal lords!